Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR)

STAR is a research-supported trauma awareness and resilience training program that began in 2001. STAR brings together theory and practices from neurobiology, conflict transformation, human security, spirituality, and restorative justice to address the needs of trauma-impacted individuals and communities.

STAR is for individuals and organizations whose work brings them in contact with populations dealing with current or historic trauma: mental health, medical and legal professionals, clergy, educators, peacebuilders, humanitarian, human rights and development workers — all those who need to be trauma-informed in order to do trauma-sensitive programming.

STAR training options

STAR Level I: This five-day training is the foundation to STAR and introduces the theory, processes and tools for addressing trauma, breaking cycles of violence and building resilience. Click here for level one registration. CEU credits are available.

STAR Level II: This five-day training is for participants who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills of STAR frameworks and processes and equipped to present STAR presentations or workshops. The training also provides materials and information on applying STAR to particular audiences such as youth, those who have suffered historical harms, returning veterans, etc. Click here for level two registration. CEU credits are available.

Certification Track: the STAR Certification program is a network of quality STAR trainers and practitioners throughout the US and abroad that are connected to the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. In addition to being STAR practitioners, certified trainers work collaboratively with STAR to lead trainings, and conduct research that produces knowledge on best practices for building peace through breaking cycles of violence.

Organizations: STAR works with organizations to identify the best way to meet their needs and integrate a trauma lens into their projects. Services include developing trauma-sensitive programming, training staff and affected civil society leaders directly, or designing a customized program to fit specific needs. Click here for more information on STAR services for organizations.

Program News

The first leg of her journey toward directing Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) began in 2001 when Katie Mansfield, then a divisional vice president of Goldman Sachs, lived through the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York. Subsequent legs in her journey: • Three years with Mennonite Central Committee in Kenya, where she did …More

Since 2003, over 2,000 desperate people have died trying to cross the harsh Sonoran Desert between Mexico and the southwest United States. This continuous death toll prompted the foundation of Tucson Samaritans, a humanitarian group which has drawn in Isabel Allen, an alumnus of EMU’s STAR program, and senior nursing student Zach Coverdale. Allen is …More

Within North American educational institutions affiliated with one of the three “historic peace churches” – Mennonite, Brethren and Quaker – only Eastern Mennonite University offers a graduate program pertaining to peace. Which is why aspiring peacebuilders from other Christian denominations often make their way to EMU. It’s why Jay Wittmeyer, now executive director of global mission and …More